Can I Get Cavities on a Tooth that Already has a Filling?

Can I get cavities on a tooth that already has a filling?

If you have a dental filling to remedy a previous cavity, you may wonder if that tooth can form another cavity. After all, the dental filling materials should not be affected by the same decay-causing bacteria that formed the initial cavity. However, it is possible to get cavities on teeth with dental fillings. The dental filling restores the original tooth shape and structure. However, the natural parts of your tooth are still susceptible to the buildup of food particles and plaque. Staying on a good daily dental hygiene regimen and visiting your Winter Park dentist regularly is essential.

How did a cavity form on my tooth if I already have a dental filling?

There are several reasons a cavity can still form on a tooth that a dental filling has restored. The most common is from additional decay from bacteria affecting the other surfaces of the tooth. It could be additional decay of the natural tooth around the filling or on another surface entirely. For example, if the original filling were done to fix a cavity on the “top” of the tooth, but if a cavity forms on the “side” of the tooth, it would be a separate filling to fix the tooth and avoid further decay.

Despite prior dental work, another common reason for cavities is normal wear from chewing, grinding, or chipping the filling material. Although both composite (white) and amalgam (metal) fillings can be damaged, it is more common for the composite fillings to degrade or chip, which could lead to the filling becoming loose and even “falling out,” which would require a filling to be performed again.

Can a cavity affect my dental crown or bridge?

Dental restorations like crowns and bridges are made of highly resilient materials like ceramic, porcelain, zirconia, resins, and even some metal, and they won’t be susceptible to the same decay from bacteria and plaque-causing cavities. However, the risk for the patient is decay growing underneath or at the gaps and margins of the crown or bridge. While it is possible that a poorly designed or improperly seated crown can increase the risk of a cavity forming underneath the crown, this decay is often caused by a lack of flossing or other methods to remove food particles from those tight areas regularly. Especially in the case of dental bridges, flossing or using a water flosser underneath the bridge is imperative. Because a dental bridge requires at least two teeth to be secure, both must be kept healthy and decay-free. Otherwise, it would risk the bridge becoming loose or coming off and not providing the intended coverage. We recommend patients with dental bridges or multiple crowns pay extra attention to flossing and regular dentist visits to minimize any buildup that could affect their dental work. 

How can I avoid additional dental work?

Unfortunately, restorative dental work like fillings, crowns, and implants does not reduce the need for patients to continue brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. These dental restorations can only mitigate further deterioration and bring the teeth near their original state. Your remaining teeth structure needs to be cared for to prevent further deterioration. Often, further decay on teeth that have had dental work is more risky as the same less-invasive options (like surface fillings) may no longer be available as the decay progresses. This leads to more invasive and costly treatment to save an affected tooth. Maintaining your dental hygiene with proper and regular brushing, flossing, and regular (every six months) visits to your Winter Park dentist is the best way to avoid additional decay to your teeth. This way, even if issues are present, they can be caught and treated before they require more severe treatment.

If you’d like to make an appointment or perhaps seek a second opinion, please contact our office or make an appointment online!